ISLAMABAD: A Senate committee has directed the Ministry of Energy to suspend the Executive Engineer (XEN) of Jacobabad, who is facing an inquiry over an electrocution incident, and to submit the inquiry report to the panel. The Senate Functional Committee on Problems of Less Developed Areas convened at the Parliament House on Thursday under the chairmanship of Senator Agha Shahzaib Durrani.
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The committee was briefed on the relocation of the Jacobabad XEN office to a site six kilometres outside city limits, causing inconvenience to the public. Senator Aslam Abro noted that the move appeared to avoid public complaints. The panel unanimously ordered the XEN office to be shifted back within city premises, even if a rented building needs to be acquired.
Other issues discussed included the relocation of the Nadra office to the National Highway, which was contributing to road accidents. The committee directed Nadra to identify two to three suitable government buildings within Jacobabad city for the office, assuring full support for the relocation.
The panel also reviewed continuous electricity billing in flood-affected areas of Sindh since 2010. Senator Danesh Kumar questioned how bills were being issued despite no electricity supply. Officials clarified that the charges pertained only to arrears, but the chairman instructed that a recovery plan or categorisation of bad debt must be submitted within 15 days.
Additionally, the committee inquired about the promotion of Sepco and Hesco officers despite ongoing inquiries by NAB and FIA. The panel was assured no promotions were granted without clearance, but it directed written confirmation from both investigative bodies within three days and asked the Power Division to verify promotion procedures.
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The meeting was attended by Senators Nadeem Ahmed Bhutto, Aslam Abro, and Danesh Kumar, and emphasised public accountability, proper administrative practices, and timely resolution of long-standing issues.